Cox pushes plan for small modular reactors in Utah

Utah is moving forward with plans to develop nucle­ar power under a statewide initiative backed by Gover­nor Spencer Cox. State of­ficials recently announced that the Brigham City area in northern Utah has been identified as the preferred location for what they are calling a nuclear energy ecosystem. The proposal includes manufacturing facilities for reactor com­ponents, a technical train­ing center, and eventually the construction of small modular reactors, known as SMRs. These reactors are smaller and factory built, designed to be shipped in sections and assembled on site, which supporters say shortens construction time and improves safety.

The plan is part of Opera­tion Gigawatt, a state effort to expand Utah’s energy capacity and prepare for long term demand. Early estimates suggest roughly 750 construction jobs dur­ing the initial buildout and about 600 permanent jobs once the facilities are fully operational. State leaders say Utah could eventually host as many as 10 SMRs across multiple locations, beginning in the Brigham City region.

Cox has framed the proj­ect as a major step toward strengthening Utah’s en­ergy independence. He has also pointed to the potential economic benefits for rural areas that have seen sharp declines in traditional in­dustries. State officials say the proposal would help di­versify the energy grid and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The project still faces sig­nificant hurdles. Nuclear construction in the United States requires extensive federal and state review, including environmental studies, safety planning and public comment. Even with an aggressive time­line, the earliest a reactor could be producing power is sometime in the early 2030s. Critics also caution that costs could rise and warn that long term waste storage issues remain un­resolved.

Supporters argue that SMRs offer a practical middle ground between large nuclear plants and intermittent renewable sources. They say the smaller reactors use proven fuel designs, require fewer staff to operate and include passive safety features that allow the systems to cool without pumps or external power.

For now, the plan remains in the early stages, but state leaders and industry partners are treating the announcement as a long-term commitment. If the effort succeeds, Utah could become one of the first states to use small modular reactors at scale.